AlexLaw76

Other nations on their own? Are you having a laugh? Germany have woefully equipped their services for decades, given their monetary might

some NATO members are absolutely more equal than others.

And if it does? Lets be honest, most of the nations offer very little and depend on the US funding their defence. As Trump ranted - Germany being the biggest culprit

Who knows.

No.

it is a deterrent if anything. If Khalid crashes a plane in down-town warsaw, then 'retribution' will take place. If Russia (backed by China?) squares up to Lithuania, the will for ~30-odd nations to pile-in.....remains to be seen.

Self defence is only going to happen if there is a will to do so. What will is there? US - general population probably could not careless about eastern Europe (or Europe in general). The nation is led by someone who barely knows what day it is. UK - We all know the issues here. Both left and right scrambling for the green agenda, pronouns, kneeling, statues, no will to secure our own borders, demanding the PM (who ever it is) is removed within months of taking over and armed forces gleefully decimated over the last 25 years France - Incredible history of not fronting up to NATO responsibilities Germany - Pacifist at best and sold their soul to Russia in many ways. Canada - Look at the state of that country (and who leads it) That is about it. The rest are two-bob powers I would predict that the appetite for war, let alone a protracted one, after Afghanistan etc is absolutely minimal. Like we could afford it after COVID. Talking of Afghanistan, notice no one cares anymore? Kids are probably still getting their heads cut off, but cake is a bigger story.

exactly. Fancy a war with Russia? They are not some tin-pot desert rat nation. They bite back and have significant means to do so.

We have moved on from Facebook flags mate.....see below how it is now done.

Government move from "condemning" Putin to "strongly condemning" Putin in a serious escalation of their response. They are reserving their right to "condemn in the strongest possible terms" should the strong condemnation not prove effective. in reality, the real danger....... Lot of people in Ukraine crowding together inside. Only 35% of Ukrainians have been vaccinated. Less than 2% have been boosted.

How would Trump 'assist' Putin? You seem overly obsessed by him

what about last month?

I can see Burnley getting at least 1 point

It is influenced by votes and public pressure. The government have acted like a weathervane for ages, and bow to public pressure on most things. No public pressure for anything around Russia and Ukraine. Hardly any now! Why? No one really cares

Bit late now isn't it. That is the point. Throw in that no one really cares, not as much as cake, pronouns, taking the knee and such like. Take a look at the recent prezzers, Sunday, 6 Boris spent 6 mins talking about Ukraine, but even longer about cake. Even in Germany (as leaders gathered about Ukraine), BBC asked Boris about cake. No one cared about Russia/Russian money. So to see the chattering classes get wound up about it now, as Russia roll into Ukraine, is a bit naff/funny/predictable

Not a great deal, why?

That is a good point. No one really gave/gives a toss. Cake is more important

Ukraine joining NATO (not that they want to) would clearly create a situation with Vlad. Probably spark a new era of a significant military stand-off. That is something we have zero appetite for (or could afford)

Why would we want Ukraine in NATO ?

What sort of language is this? Quite weird watching/reading the media masses and twitterati in shock that we are not "doing enough" It is a bit late isn't it? Whilst we are tearing down statues, arguing about cake and pronouns, Russia have been massing a massive force in Eastern Europe. All this time, no one cared. Bit late now to get "angry"

My point is, the alternative is no different (at best) Last time I checked we are not on the verge of war with Russia. Unless you know something the rest us/the world does not?

Not worked out for Ings. He was talked about as a regular in the England Squad with us. He has no chance now

Bit like Beijing Barry is many ways......

Are you not a bit cynical about it all. Boris could be doing this to take the focus away from him eating cake. ?

Guess it has started